Northwest Passage - In the Wake of the Great Explorers

HIGHLIGHTS

A voyage of legend that attempts to cross the Arctic through the famous Northwest Passage
Meet local Inuit during visits to remote yet welcoming communities in Canada and Greenland
Spot magnificent Arctic wildlife, with good chances to see polar bears, whales, and walrus
Beautiful, pristine, and rarely-seen landscape made up of mountains, icebergs, and fjords

Best time to visit
The Northwest Passage is only accessible by ship between July and September. This is the only time of the year the ice has reduced enough to allow a crossing attempt. July and August are also the peak months to spot wildlife. For example, polar bears are particularly active, hunting whales and seals along the floating sea ice. The summer days are long, which help maximize our chances of wildlife sightings.

What to Expect?
If you decide to go, you’ll find a magical unspoiled world in the High Arctic, with beautiful scenery, glaciers, and an icy landscape. You might see majestic polar bears out hunting, different species of whale breaching, walrus relaxing by the shore, and a variety of birds. Remember that these are natural Arctic habitats, so we can’t guarantee that certain animals will appear during your expedition. You will experience both the modern life of the Inuit population and their communities, culture, and life, and learn more about the history of the region.

Both on board and on land, there’s a lot going on to make the most out of your journey. Here are some of the most popular activities:
Small-boat cruising in one of the most remote parts of the world. The ship will not be able to dock everywhere and anywhere. That’s why each ship has small explorer boats to take you ashore or on ice-cruising excursions.
Nature landings are landings on beaches and shore areas. They happen wherever possible.
Hiking is another popular activity. This could be at places of historical, biological, or geological interest, small settlements, or places that offer stunning natural beauty.
Lectures and science program. When the ship is at sea, there’s plenty happening on board as well. Join in-depth lectures on a variety of topics from history and culture to wildlife and science. The Science Program invites you into the fascinating world of science, and enhances the experience and your understanding of the regions we explore.
Photo program. There is a professional photographer on board you can access for hints and tips, camera set-up, and simply how to take great pictures.

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person

Start Date	End Date	From EUR	From USD
Aug 20, 2024	Sep 14, 2024	17,499	18,558

Rates are listed per person

Start Date	End Date	From EUR	From USD
Aug 20, 2024	Sep 14, 2024	17,499	18,558

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Vancouver, Canada
Day 2 - Nome, Alaska
Day 3-7 - At Sea
Day 8-17 - The Northwest Passage
Day 18 - Labrador Sea
Day 19 - Ilulissat
Day 20 - Sisimiut
Day 21-22 - Across the Labrador Sea
Day 23 - Red Bay
Day 24 - Corner Brook
Day 25 - At Sea
Day 26 - Halifax

Day 1 Cosmopolitan city in a stunning setting
Your expedition cruise starts in Vancouver. Set among beautiful mountain scenery and the waters of English Bay, Vancouver is both a bustling seaport and a cosmopolitan city. Arrive a few days ahead of the cruise to fully enjoy British Colombia’s largest city.
Its neighborhoods buzz with world-class farm-to-table cuisine. Chinatown and Punjabi Market have arguably the best Asian food in North America, while Commercial Drive is the home of Little Italy.

Do not miss Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood! Gastown’s Victorian buildings house some of the city’s hottest restaurants, and its over 500-foot-high Vancouver Lookout offers a perfect panorama. Take in the neon lights and nightlife along the Granville Street strip or just relax on one of the beaches in West End. The latter is also the gateway to the greenery of Stanley Park, filled with wide-open spaces to explore. For an easy way to enjoy the highlights of Vancouver, we offer a half-day Vancouver Sightseeing Tour as a Pre-Program. It even includes a trip to the thrilling Capilano Suspension Bridge, which hangs 230 feet over the river. Pining for an even wilder adventure? Sign up for the Pre-Program trip aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train! The scenery is nothing short of spectacular.

Day 2 There’s No Place Like Nome
You will fly from Vancouver to Nome, where MS Roald Amundsen awaits you to start your expedition cruise.
Situated on the Seward Peninsula, Nome’s name went down in Alaska history the day the ‘Three Lucky Swedes’ discovered gold in Anvil Creek in 1898. Prospectors soon flocked from the Yukon and from San Francisco by steamboat. Even the famous sheriff Wyatt Earp chased the call of gold and opened a saloon here. Leftovers from Gold Rush era are everywhere, from abandoned dredges to turn-of-the-century steam engines and old railroad tracks. Cries of “Gold! Gold!” can still be heard today by those foraging on the banks of the Snake River and elsewhere in the area. The town also marked the end point of three of Roald Amundsen’s great expeditions: The Northwest Passage in 1906, the Northeast Passage in 1921, and an attempt to reach the North Pole by aircraft in 1926. It’s only fitting that you’ll board an expedition ship bearing his name here in Nome, eagerly embarking on your own adventure across the Arctic.

Day 3-7 Seeing the sights while sailing the seas
During your first days at sea, the excitement of the journey will slowly simmer with adventure on the horizon. Exploring the ship is a must, with plenty of onboard facilities to enjoy, like the infinity pool, hot tubs, sauna, indoor gym, outdoor running track, and spa.

You can also sit in on the Expedition Team’s informative lectures in the Science Center. Each topic, which can range from wildlife to tectonic activity, glaciology, or local history and culture, is designed to help you appreciate the areas we sail through and inform you ahead of upcoming landings. The Expedition Team will also review important guidelines from?AECO, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. You will learn how you can protect wildlife habitats, keep a safe distance from animals, and visit Arctic communities in a proper and respectful way.?

As we sail through the Bering Strait, look to the sky to spot a range of seabirds. There are over 30 species to spot, including Black-legged Kittiwakes and different species of auklets and murrelets. More than 10 million of these winged wonders visit the region in late summer, so you will get plenty of use from your binoculars. Through the Bergin Strait, you will have Russia to the west and the U.S. to the east. This is the international date line, where ‘tomorrow’ rests to your left and ‘today’ to the right. After crossing Chukchi Sea, we reach the northernmost point of the U.S. at Point Barrow and enter the Beaufort Sea. Keep an eye on the waters here for bowhead and gray whales—we might also start seeing sea ice.?

Then it is into Amundsen Gulf, where we hope to observe the remarkable and colorful Smoking Hills. It is an amazing sight, with smoke billowing from the cliffs on the east coast of Cape Bathurst. Lignite (a combination of eroded shale and pyrite) spontaneously ignites when exposed to air, creating this photogenic phenomenon.

Day 8-17 All the way through the Northwest Passage
The time has come for us to attempt a complete transit of the Northwest Passage. Not counting us, only around 60 expeditions have tried to navigate this seaway, with the earliest attempts dating as far back as 1497.

James Cook attempted it in 1776 and many may have heard about the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845. The first to conquer the Northwest Passage by ship was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen on an expedition lasting from 1903 to 1906, aboard the converted herring boat, the Gjøa.

We will enter the Northwest Passage on our own adventure aboard a state-of-the-art expedition ship named in Amundsen’s honor, aiming to sail through to Greenland and Eastern Canada. We will land at sites linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and hope to spot Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, seals, and a variety of seabirds. Opportunities will open for small-boat (RIB) cruising between ice floes, and in true expedition style, we will go ashore and experience the pristine wilderness firsthand. The captain and Expedition Leader will continuously assess the weather and sea conditions and adapt the activitiesaccordingly, adjusting the itinerary to where the sea ice allows us to go. Like all good explorers, we respect and work with nature, never against it.

Here are some of the places in the region that we hope to explore during landings and short walks—wind, waves, and sea ice permitting.

Ulukhaktok
Many in the 500-people strong community are involved in the local artists’ co-op and produce prints, tapestries, and other handicrafts. This is also home to the world’s northernmost golf course, which hosts a tournament every summer.

Cambridge Bay
Located on Victoria Island, this is the largest stop for vessels traversing the Northwest Passage. It is also called ‘Iqaluktuuttiaq’ (‘A Good Fishing Place’) due to the Ekalluk River, which attracts Arctic char, musk oxen, and caribou.

Gjoa Haven
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen wintered at this hamlet in 1903, on the expedition the ‘haven’ is named after. During his time here, he learnt crucial survival skills from the local Netsilik Inuit people. This knowledge would later give him the upper hand in his famous race to the South Pole in 1911. There is an informative walking tour, a Heritage Center, and a Hamlet Center dedicated to the history and culture of the area.

Fort Ross
Fort Ross has an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Trading post located at the southern end of Somerset Island. The storehouse here is still occasionally used as a shelter by travelers, with bunk beds and shelves of canned goods.

Beechey Island
This is the final resting place for three members of the lost Franklin expedition, which sailed into the Northwest Passage in 1845, never to return. It is customary for explorers in the region to stop and pay their respects at the graves, as Roald Amundsen did in 1903.

Devon Island
Welcome to the largest uninhabited island on Earth. The only signs of human life are at the long-abandoned settlement of Dundas Harbour, along with several archeological sites from the Thule period.

PondInlet
Called ‘Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, it means ‘the place where the landing place is’. This is a traditional Baffin Island Inuit community that enjoys views of the Eclipse Sound and the mountains of Bylot Island. It is also known as a great place to see narwhal—the unicorn of the sea.

Day 18 Crossing Baffin Bay and Davis Strait
It is time to leave Canada behind and set course for Greenland.?While sailing across Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, do not miss the ongoing informative lectures in the Science Center. The topics may include the wildlife you could spot, Greenlandic culture, expedition history, geology, photography, and famous historic explorers.

Feel like being more active? Hit up the gym and get your blood pumping. Do not forget you will have access to the sauna, an infinity pool, and two outdoor hot tubs. Enjoy drinks in the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar,?while settling down into a sofa and letting the rhythmic waves of the ocean roll by.

In the evening, swap adventure stories with the Expedition Team and learn more about these modern-day explorers. Each of them is treasure troves of adventure and information.

Day 19 Where icebergs are born
Ilulissat (translated simply as ‘Icebergs’) is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful gem of a town stands out for its colorful houses sitting along the fjord, which features an ever-changing gallery of icebergs. This place is truly picture perfect. It is also a vibrant hub for adventure seekers who head out onto the polar ice sheet. There are almost as many sled dogs living here as there are people. Each spring, one of the world’s greatest dog-sled races takes place here, with 100 sleds participating.

Just outside the town, you can often see enormous icebergs floating in the deep blue waters. They originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, which calves some 35 billion tons of icebergs each year. The icebergs make their way down the 12-mile fjord before entering Disko Bay. They are a nature photographer’s dream.You won’t just see these chiseled masses of ice up close, you’ll also hear them. Their cracks, rumbles, and creaks echo throughout the fjord as they bump into one another and into the shores. If that background noise is like the drums, the crumble, crash, and splash of ice calving off the icebergs into the waters below are the cymbals. Take a moment to sit, watch, and listen to the icebergs in these beautiful surroundings.

Day 20 Modern settlement, ancient traditions
Located in a spectacular setting, Greenland’s second-largest city, Sisimiut, sits 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the central coastal area of the Davis Strait. It’s a modern settlement, but its roots stretch far back, with some estimates dating more than 4,500 years.

Its name translates into ‘the people at the fox holes’, a reference to the many Arctic fox burrows that lie near the city. Another local animal is the musk ox, whose wool is used to make a local fabric called qiviut—said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool. Think about picking up a qiviut scarf, hat, or mittens while you are here. With a population of around 5,500, Sisimiut is an important regional hub. Boats heading between Nuuk and Disko Bay area frequently use it as a stopover point, with many coming to practice backcountry sports like skiing or dog sledding on the Greenland ice sheet.

The small museum houses artifacts from excavations of ancient Saqqaq settlements near the town, some up to 4,000 years old. Do not miss the Taseralik Cultural Center, the perfect place to learn about the area’s cultural heritage.

Day 21-22 Across the Labrador Sea
Relax, get to know your fellow travelers, and make full use of the onboard facilities. In the Science Center, the Expedition Team’s lecture program focuses on the wildlife and ecosystems of the Arctic.

We also support a number of Citizen Science projects that you can join. These include the Happywhale project, where your photographs help identify and track the movement of specific whales across the planet, identified from their distinguishing characteristics. You may also join the GLOBE Observer project, which combines your observations of clouds and sky conditions with satellite data. By participating in these projects, not only will you be supporting the scientific community, but you will also be gaining a better understanding of the world around you.

Day 23 Canada’s hidden history
Red Bay is a former Basque whaling settlement on the coast of southern Labrador in the Strait of Belle Isle. You might catch a glimpse of humpback or minke whales, which first drew Basque whalers to this harbor in the 17th century. For about 70 years, these fishermen caught whales and exported their refined oil back to Europe.

But not all the whaling ships were able to reach Red Bay’s shores. Wrecked chalupas and galleons are just some of the ships that have been found preserved in the ice-cold waters. These discoveries make Red Bay one of the most important underwater archeological sites in the world. On your visit to this fascinating town, make sure to visit the local museum, which is part of the Red Bay National Historic Site. Here, you can see a 26-foot chalupa (a small whale-catching boat) and imagine life as a Basque whaler on the Labrador Sea.

You can also look for whale bones in the protected National Historic Site or search for the buried treasure of pirate Captain Kidd around Tracey Hill. You might not find any gold doubloons, but you will certainly be rewarded with a fantastic view.

MS Roald Amundsen (Expedition, 500-guests)

Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen leads the way towards an even more sustainable way of traveling. The ship is specially constructed for voyages in polar waters. It serves as a comfortable base camp at sea - bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Hotels

Overnight in Vancouver before the expedition cruise including breakfast

Flights

Coach-class flight from Vancouver to Nome

Transfers

Transfer from the hotel in Vancouver to the airport before the expedition cruise
Transfer from the airport to the ship in Nome before the expedition cruise

Expedition Cruise

Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurants Aune and Fredheim
À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
Complimentary tea and coffee
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and accompany activities on board and ashore
Range of included excursions

Onboard Activities

Experts on the Expedition Team deliver in-depth lectures on a variety of topics
Use of the ship’s Science Center, which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
Citizen Science program allows guests to assist with current scientific research
Professional onboard photographer gives top tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
Use of the ship’s hot tubs, infinity pool, sauna with floor-to-ceiling window, outdoor and indoor gyms, and outdoor running track
Informal gatherings with the crew such as daily recaps and preparation for the day to come

Landing Activities

Escorted landings with small explorer boats
Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
Expedition photographers help with your camera settings before landings

Not Included In Your Expedition

International flights
Travel protection
Luggage handling
Optional shore excursions with our local partners
Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area

Notes

All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
Excursions and activities are subject to change
Medical declaration form is mandatory
Please ensure you meet all visa entry requirements
No gratuities expected

MS Roald Amundsen - 500 Guests

Northwest Passage - In The Wake Of The Great Explorers

Vancouver / Nome - Halifax

Available Promotions! Please request lower rates!

HIGHLIGHTS

DATES / RATES

ITINERARY

WHAT'S INCLUDED

North America toll-free: +1 888 203 2093 Text & Mobile: +1 970 227 9767
	Europe & ROW: WhatsApp & Mobile: +372 52 99 832

DEPARTURE STARTING RATES IN USD
Aug 01, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024	17,095

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